Christian Hargreaves came to Oxford on a free transfer from Brentford in the summer of 2005. He was signed by Brian Talbot, who immediately bestowed upon him the team captaincy. Hargreaves, born in Cleethorpes, scored on his debut, a late equaliser at his former club, Grimsby Town. His early games were characterised by his full-blooded highly-committed performances, but his season was interrupted when he received two broken ribs and a punctured lung at Bristol Rovers. After a while on the sidelines, Greavsie started to regain his place, and rediscover his early form, in the Conference. Released after the end of the 2006/07 season, he rejoined Oxford on 29 January 2010 until the end of the season after two and a half years at Torquay United, whom he captained to the Conference play-off victory in 2009. Didn't feature in Oxford's play-off campaign, but his experience proved invaluable behind the scenes. Released at the end of the season.